WASHINGTON, DC — Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has put in place a transition plan for the organization following the departure of Christine Duffy, President and Chief Executive Officer, effective Jan. 31, 2015.

In the interim, newly-appointed Global CLIA Chairman Adam M. Goldstein, President and COO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., will serve as the official spokesperson for the organization. Cindy D’Aoust, Executive Vice President of Membership and Operations, will assume and oversee the management of U.S. operations and the leadership teams in the Washington, DC, and Fort Lauderdale offices.

CLIA has retained the services of executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles to lead the search for a new President & CEO.

“We are dedicated to identifying a leader who will continue to drive the vision of the organization,” said Goldstein. “During this search and transition process, we are well-positioned to continue to support our membership and the many activities we have underway around the world with the leadership of our talented executive team.”

In addition to D’Aoust, the senior executive team in the Washington, DC office includes Thomas Fischetti, Chief Financial Officer; Charles (Bud) Darr, Senior Vice President, Technical and Regulatory Affairs; Michael McGarry, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs; and Lorri Christou, Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Communications.

Global CLIA association leaders include Dr. Raphael von Heereman, Secretary General of CLIA Europe effective Feb. 15, 2015; Marco Ferraz, President of CLIA ABREMAR-Brazil; Greg Wirtz, President of CLIA North West & Canada; and Brett Jardine, General Manager of CLIA Australasia. CLIA Southeast Asia and CLIA North Asia are managed by MCI, an outside association management firm, under the direction of CLIA North Asia Chair Dr. Zinan Liu, Managing Director, China and Asia, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd; and CLIA Southeast Asia Chair Ann Sherry, Chief Executive Officer, Carnival Australia.